A zero-tolerance clean-up operation targeted Cliftonville this week.

Police, council and immigration officers, trading standards and the fire and rescue service cracked down on anti-social issues in a bid to clean up the area.

Running through to the end of Thursday, Operation Cleansweep is a second swoop on the district following a seven-day clear-up last October.

Council leader Cllr Sandy Ezekiel said: “Zero tolerance is the key.

"People under the spotlight include those flouting housing benefit, tenancy and immigration laws, dumping rubbish in the road, fly-tipping in alleyways and gardens, traders displaying across the pavement and not just their forecourts.

“Anti-social behaviour at all levels is a continuing problem in this part of Thanet and every effort is being made to deal with it.

“Those who abuse the system will not be tolerated.”

Cliftonville West councillor Clive Hart said: “Increasingly, local businesspeople in Northdown Road are raising serious concerns and the only way to deal with issues on this scale is through consistent actions by all the agencies concerned and at all levels.”